Postmodernism Term Paper

Postmodernism is characterized by key changes in the configuration of society to facilitate the emergence of a new set of social and cultural experiences in society. Communication and frequent exchange of ideas is at the center of postmodern conditions. However, most individuals fail to differentiate between reality and media representation. Postmodernism recognizes that the world is comprised of people from different cultures to enhance diversity and awareness creation about the interests of minority groups in society. Therefore, theoretical intervention in media studies can help to facilitate acceptance of diversity among the public. Besides, postmodern culture is associated with an effective means of communication to facilitate the exchange of information. Postmodernism is both a practice and a theory that is applicable in media studies to develop ideas and facilitate effective communication.

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The rise of broadcast media is one of the crucial components of postmodernity that facilitates dissemination of information in realms of social and everyday life. In the current postmodern world, new realms of modern technology and computers have enhanced different forms of simulations on reality and media representations. Undoubtedly, the media plays a significant role in social and personal lives (Kozik, Noga, & Depesova, 2015). Theorists focus on exploring the intervention of theory in media studies to acquire relevant knowledge to facilitate the frequent exchange of ideas. The media has proven to be the most effective medium to pass relevant information.

Postmodernism has influenced different forms of art in the media. It affects social media and other aspects of society, such as government and the economy. The core objective of postmodernists is to infuse a positive transformation in exchange for relevant information. It is apparent that the aspect results in different complexities and transformations (Baudrillard, 2001). In the advent of new forms of technology, media directors choose to use either fictional or animated characters. However, media can have adverse effects on society.

Postmodernism means the period after the modernist movement based on arts, literature, and, media. It affects vision and reality of the targeted audience. Importantly, it reveals truth in regard to a person’s point of view without any broad framework in use of language (Silverman, 2017). It is apparent that postmodernism can change people’s perceptions of different life aspects. In some instances, media contents can result in different forms of illusions.

Lyotard and Baudrillard, postmodern theorists, are committed to research on postmodernism. However, the two theorists have a different outlook on the issue. Baudrillard’s primary focus is on simulation idea and interaction of society, reality, and symbols. It becomes difficult to differentiate between fantasy and reality. Similarly, Jean Lyotard reveals quintessential modernity features including meta-narratives and grand-narratives. According to theorist, people can only understand reality through narratives.

Different films illustrate components of postmodernism. “24 Hour Party People” by Michael Winterbottom is one of the classified postmodern films. Its main basis is on popular community of Manchester from 1976 until 1992. (Mazierska & Rymajdo, 2017). The director uses a handheld camera to make the film appears as a documentary. The film’s characters were famous during “punk rock” period in music production. The entire film is a representation of music industry characterized by alcohol and the use of other drugs. It has different scenes of parties and the use of drugs, which are the main issues in the contemporary world.

Additionally, “In this World” is another film that relates to postmodernism. It is one of appropriate examples of British docudrama that is based on two Afghan refugees, who were focused to find a better residing place in London after leaving a refugee camp. The film’s structure is linear having different sequencing shots in reflection of the lives of various characters. Both films, “24 Hour Party People” and “In this World”, have scenes of having handheld camera. One of such scenarios is after Jamal gets locked in one of containers as it is ferried to Paris. The camera inside the container lurches, which makes it difficult for the audience to see anything in the dark. Besides, A map on a screen whenever refugees are crisscrossing the land is a clear illustration of postmodernism concept. In fact, audience have an opportunity to assess the distance that refugees have travelled in a form of animated film.

Postmodernism is rife in the entire storyline of the two films and a reflection of different aspects of society. The films reflect modern concepts in art, music, and literature. It is apparent that the postmodern movement has is part of people’s lives in the contemporary world (Jameson, 1991). Postmodern films relate to mainstream conventions in narrative structure. Currently, the media dominates in people’s culture as a result of the development of modern forms of technology.

Postmodernism emerged as one of the arts during the 1980s. It expanded tremendously in terms of the modernist movement. It was a rejection of the idea of modernity that facilitated discarding any authentic elements (Jameson, 1991). Postmodernism is formed as a result of a combination of different elements in a specific culture. As a result of the incorporation of the unique aspect in films, people have developed unique ways of searching for the meaning of different aspects of life. Media has become one of the crucial aspects that have shaped people’s lives in different ways.

Film directors have embraced the idea of portraying postmodernist ideas through different cinema mediums. Postmodernism is a movement that is characterized by the notion of objective-truth, meta-narrative, and universal cultural narrative. The main difference between postmodernism literature and film is the depiction of different themes. Michael Winterbottom, the director of “24 Hour Party People” and “In this World,” displays aesthetic features of cultural practices in the postmodern world. In the current era of film production, postmodernism has become integrated into the media. In the modern world, artistic production has become one of the components integrated into commodity production. Most aspects of film production are identical to the older modernism.

Postmodernism is an effective way to manipulate time and space in different settings. Postmodernism media utilizes parody and music on revealing contemporary concepts. Postmodern music just like other forms of media reveals boundaries between genre and style. Postmodernism is appropriate in the interpretation of cultural and social developments with links of historical reality (Mohanty, 1988). The concept facilitated the evolution of postmodern aspects in relation in both economic, political, and social aspects. It is a reflection of all sources of power in society, especially during the postindustrial period. Postmodernism can be one of the sources of dogmatic knowledge in the unchanging ideologies.

In the current era of film production, mass media has played a significant role in influencing people cultural practices and even behavior. People learn about different life aspects through the use of media platforms. It is apparent that it facilitates the exchange of ideas and frequent communication between different parties. It is apparent that films have a significant influence on people’s emotions and attitudes towards different aspects of life. It is important for people to analyze different types of films on postmodernism elements. In the modernist period, music is a relevant aspect that helps in spreading ideas to different individuals.

The postmodernist era is one of the significant periods during the contemporary world. It is apparent that people have access to extensive information that has little or no meaning. In some instances, some film directors borrow ideas from others without acknowledging their content. One of the common elements is that postmodernism is characterized by the decline of grand narratives and metanarratives. The media acts as a watchdog in society to prevent different forms of political dominance. Besides, people utilize the media to criticize different forms of political exploitations. Postmodernism is an era of information in society. The internet has facilitated a convenient exchange of ideas in the modernity period.

In conclusion, Postmodernism theory is one of the most significant models in media studies that facilitates a shift of perspectives in the disciplines of art, literature, and social sciences. The postmodern shift in perspectives is associated with consumer capitalism and aesthetics that are common during the twentieth century. Michael Winterbottom, the director of “24 HourParty People” and “In this World” utilizes different elements that relate to postmodernism. The theory has extended a significant influence during the 20th century. It is a period characterized by theoretical frameworks that act as guidelines on narratives. The media has a significant influence on emotions, and people’s relationship in society.

References
Mohanty, C. T. (1988). Under Western eyes: Feminist scholarship and colonial discourses. Feminist review, (30), 61-88.
Jameson, F. (1991). Postmodernism, or, the cultural logic of late capitalism. Duke University Press.
Baudrillard, J. (2001). The precession of simulacra. Media and cultural studies: Keywords, 451-475.
Kozík, T., Noga, H., & Depešová, J. (2015). The symptoms of postmodernism in media and multimedia. European Journal of Science and Theology, 11(6), 119-125.
Mazierska, E., & Rymajdo, K. (2017). The North and Europe in 24 Hour Party People and Control. In Heading North (pp. 235-255). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Silverman, H. J. (2017). Postmodernism: Philosophy and the arts. Routledge.